Yoakam was born in Pikeville, Kentucky, the son of Ruth Ann, a key-punch operator, and David Yoakam, a gas-station owner. He was raised in Columbus, Ohio. He graduated from Columbus's Northland High School in 1974. During his high school years, he excelled in both music and drama, regularly securing the lead role in school plays, such as "Charlie" in a stage version of Flowers for Algernon, honing his skills under the guidance of teacher-mentors Jerry McAfee (music) and Charles Lewis (drama). Outside of school, Yoakam sang and played guitar with local garage bands, and entertained his friends and classmates with his impersonations, such as Richard Nixon, who, at the time, was heavily embroiled in the Watergate controversy.
Yoakam briefly attended Ohio State University, but dropped out and moved to Nashville in 1977 with the intent of becoming a recording artist. Later on, Ohio Valley University in Parkersburg, West Virginia awarded and presented Dwight with an honorary doctorate degree on May 7, 2005.
When he began his career, Nashville was oriented toward pop "urban cowboy" music, and Yoakam's brand of hip honky tonk music was not considered marketable.
Not making much headway in Nashville, Yoakam moved to Los Angeles and worked towards bringing his particular brand of new Honky Tonk or "Hillbilly" music (as he called it) forward into the 1980s. Writing all his own songs, and continuing to perform mostly outside traditional country music channels, Yoakam did many shows in rock and punk rock clubs around Los Angeles, playing with roots rock or punk rock acts like The Blasters (Yoakam scored a small video hit with his version of their song "Long White Cadillac"), Los Lobos, and X. This helped him diversify his audience beyond the typical country music fans, and his authentic, groundbreaking music is often credited with rock audiences accepting country music.
Yoakam's recording debut was the self-financed EP Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc. on independent label Oak Records produced by lead-guitarist Pete Anderson; this was later re-released by Reprise records, with several additional tracks, as his major-label debut LP, 1986's Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc.. It launched his career. "Honky Tonk Man", a remake of the Johnny Horton song, and "Guitars, Cadillacs" were hit singles. His stylish video "Honky Tonk Man" was the first country music video ever played on MTV. The follow-up LP, Hillbilly Deluxe, was just as successful. His third LP, Buenas Noches from a Lonely Room, included his first No. 1, a duet with his musical idol, Buck Owens, on "Streets of Bakersfield". 1990's If There Was a Way was another best-seller.
Yoakam's song "Readin', Rightin', Route 23" pays tribute to his childhood move from Kentucky, and is named after a local expression describing the route that rural Kentuckians took to find a job outside of the coal mines. (U.S. Route 23 runs north from Kentucky through Columbus and Toledo, Ohio and through the automotive centers of Michigan.) Rather than the standard line that their elementary schools taught "the three Rs" of "Readin', 'Ritin', and 'Rithmetic", Kentuckians used to say that the three Rs they learned were "Readin', 'Ritin, and Route 23 North".
Johnny Cash once cited Yoakam as his favorite country singer. Chris Isaak called him as good a songwriter that ever put a pen to paper. Time Magazine dubbed Yoakam "A Renaissance Man" and Vanity Fair declared that "Yoakam strides the divide between rock's lust and country's lament." Along with his bluegrass and honky-tonk roots, Yoakam has written or covered many Elvis Presley-style rockabilly songs, including his covers of Queen's "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" in 1999 and Presley's "Suspicious Minds" in 1992. He recorded a cover of The Clash's "Train in Vain" in 1997, a cover of the Grateful Dead song "Truckin'", as well as Cheap Trick's "I Want You to Want Me". Yoakam has never been associated only with Country music; on many early tours, he played with Hardcore Punk bands like Hüsker Dü, and played many shows around Los Angeles with Roots/Punk/Rock & Roll acts. His middle-period-to-later records saw him branching out to different styles, covering Rock & Roll, Punk, 1960's, Blues-based "Boogie" like ZZ Top, and writing more adventurous songs like "A Thousand Miles From Nowhere". In 2003, he provided background vocals on Warren Zevon's last album The Wind.
In the 21st century, Yoakam released dwightyoakamacoustic.net, an album featuring solo acoustic versions of many of his hits; left his major label and started his own label.
2005 saw the release of Yoakam's well-reviewed album Blame the Vain, on New West Records. Yoakam also released an album dedicated to Buck Owens, Dwight Sings Buck, on October 23, 2007. His duet with Michelle Branch, a song titled "Long Goodbye", was released as a free download on Branch's official website in early 2011.
In July 2011, Yoakam re-signed with Warner Bros. Nashville and announced plans to release a new album. 3 Pears was released on September 18, 2012 with twelve new tracks. The album, produced by Yoakam, includes collaborations with Kid Rock, Beck, and Ashley Monroe. 3 Pears was released to resounding critical acclaim and earned Yoakam the highest-charting debut of his career on the Billboard 200 and Billboard Country Albums charts. 3 Pears reached #1 on the Americana Radio chart on October 29, 2012 and went on to break the 2012 record for most weeks at #1 on Americana Radio.[4] By the end of 2012, the album was named on annual best of lists by NPR, Rolling Stone, American Songwriter, AOL's The Boot, Entertainment Weekly, The Village Voice, and Rhapsody, and has been included in more critic's "best of 2012" lists than any other artist in the country genre.
Yoakam won the Grammy Award for "Best Male Country Vocal Performance" in 1993 for the song "Ain't That Lonely Yet". He was also named "Artist of the Year" by CMT Europe in 1993 and given the International Touring Artist Award by CMA in 2007.
In 2011, Yoakam received the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award for his trailblazing achievements in the country music genre.
The Christmas Song
Dwight Yoakam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jack Frost nippin' at your nose
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like Eskimos
Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
Help to make the season bright
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
They know that Santa's on his way
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
And every mother's child is gonna spy
To see if reindeer really know how to fly
And so I'm offering this simple phrase
To kids from one through ninety-two,
Although it's been said many times many ways,
Merry Christmas to you
The Christmas Song by Dwight Yoakam is a traditional Christmas song that captures the warmth and beauty of the holiday season. The song begins with the joyful image of chestnuts roasting on an open fire and Jack Frost nipping at your nose, which immediately transports the listener to a cozy and festive winter evening setting. The image of Yuletide carols being sung by a choir adds to the happy and celebratory mood of the song, while the line “folks dressed up like Eskimos” adds a charming touch of nostalgia and whimsy.
The second verse of the song adds a more personal touch to this festive celebration. The mention of a turkey and some mistletoe helping to “make the season bright” is a reference to the importance of family gatherings and spending time with loved ones during the holiday season. The line “tiny tots with their eyes all aglow” creates a picture of children excitedly waiting for Santa to arrive with their gifts, and finding it hard to sleep through the excitement.
The final verse of the song offers a heartfelt message of Christmas cheer and goodwill, as the singer offers a simple phrase of “Merry Christmas to you” to everyone from kids to the elderly. The song ends with the timeless reminder that although the message of “Merry Christmas” has been said many times, in many ways, it remains a beautiful and meaningful sentiment that brings people together in love and joy.
Line by Line Meaning
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
A common sight during Christmas season, where chestnuts are being roasted on an open fire, providing warmth and comfort during cold weather.
Jack Frost nippin' at your nose
Refers to the cold winter weather, where frost is forming on windows and people's noses are turning red and cold.
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
A common tradition during Christmas, where people gather to sing carols in harmony, spreading the joy of the holiday.
And folks dressed up like Eskimos
Describes the winter clothing people wear to protect themselves from the cold, similar to the ones worn by Eskimos in cold regions.
Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
Turkey and mistletoe are common symbols of Christmas that everyone is aware of and are often used to decorate during this time of year.
Help to make the season bright
The presence of these common symbols, such as turkey and mistletoe, add to the celebratory atmosphere of the holiday season.
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
Children are filled with excitement during Christmas, as they anticipate receiving gifts and partaking in festive activities.
Will find it hard to sleep tonight
The excitement of the holiday season can be overwhelming for children, making it difficult for them to sleep on Christmas Eve.
They know that Santa's on his way
Children are aware that Santa Claus, a beloved figure who delivers presents to good kids, is coming to their homes on Christmas.
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
Santa Claus carries many presents and treats on his sleigh that he will deliver to children on Christmas Day.
And every mother's child is gonna spy
Children are excited to spy on Santa Claus and his reindeer, as he makes his journey to different homes during Christmas Eve.
To see if reindeer really know how to fly
Reindeer are known to pull Santa Claus's sleigh, and children are excited to see if they have magical flying powers to deliver presents.
And so I'm offering this simple phrase
The singer is offering a simple, heartfelt greeting to all on this special holiday occasion.
To kids from one through ninety-two,
This greeting is meant for all, regardless of age, reminding them to cherish the festive spirit and goodwill associated with Christmas.
Although it's been said many times many ways,
This greeting has been expressed in various forms throughout history, but its essence remains the same, spreading joy and happiness during Christmas.
Merry Christmas to you
The singer wishes everyone a Merry Christmas, filled with love, happiness, and hope for a better future.
Lyrics © Ceylon Records, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Mel Torme, Robert Wells
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dirk Evans
Still loving this on 2020. Been a Hell of a year.
Y'all stay safe!
Tim Sanders
this song's rock great job dwight yoakam
graham bull
Whilst Elvis has the definitive version,no argument....Dwight gets it for the Ho Ho Ho!
LuKro
Iron Man 3 made me realize that in every movie, Dwight Yoakam is playing in the back whenever there's a bar.
CUPCAKESUGARPIE
🙌🎼♥️♥️♥️🎼🙌
Looove Dwight!!!
This will be first Christmas🎄since my sweet momma passed on.
She was given 3 months in Stage IV almost 7 years ago🙏💪🙏
Hopefully someone who reads this will have encouragement & positivity from knowing that.
I will listen to this all during holiday season because Dwight & this song were one of her absolute favorites.-She always wanted to know how Dwight got those jeans👖on
♥️😉☺️☺️♥️
Ramona Cabral
Love me some twang in that song cant get enough of you cowboy💙💙💙
Dixiele
First I heard this song!🎤luv some twang in my Christmas!👏🎉🎊😎
ronnie whinnem
Love this song
Jeeth Forever
Refreshing......
Gabriel Loop
dwight yoakam made iron man 3 so much better